Novel Strategy for the Formulation of High‐Energy‐Density Cathodes via Porous Carbon for Li‐S Batteries

Porous carbon is considered an attractive host material for high-energy sulfur electrodes. In this study, we propose the design of a porous carbon-based sulfur electrode for the formulation of high-energy Li–S batteries; it achieves impregnation of porous carbon with up to 80 vol. % sulfur and a reduction in both the conductive agent and binder content. Therefore, less solvent could be used during slurry casting to inhibit crack formation following electrode drying. In addition, the utilisation of two distinct electrically conducting networks enabled reduced battery polarisation, resulting in a battery with a capacity of 690 mAh g-1 (even after 100 cycles). Finally, pouch cells were prepared to characterise the practical performance of the optimised cathode; this yields a capacity of 741 mAh and cathode energy density of 1001 Wh kg-1. These findings are expected to guide the further development of high-energy-density cathode materials for Li–S batteries.